Forbes Makes History
November 19, 2022 | Football, Joel Coleman
Mississippi State corner now sits alone atop SEC and FBS lists for career pick-sixes.
STARKVILLE – Fueled by his football smarts and a knack for always putting himself in position for a game-altering play, Emmanuel Forbes has now hit uncharted territory.
The Mississippi State cornerback notched the sixth pick-six of his career during Saturday's 56-7 rout of East Tennessee State at Davis Wade Stadium. As a result, Forbes now stands alone as the all-time leader in interceptions returned for a touchdown in not only the Southeastern Conference, but the entire FBS.
"It was a goal I had coming out of high school," the junior out of Grenada, Mississippi, said. "It was a really cool moment to get to [break the record] in front of my family and all the great fans here at Mississippi State."
The record-setting play fittingly came on a highlight-reel-worthy sequence that fortunately even provided Forbes with the chance to soak in the moment.
With just over nine minutes left to play in the second quarter, ETSU was nearing the MSU red zone when quarterback Baron May threw a pass to his left. May's receiver, Cameron Lewis, tried to catch the football, but the low throw resulted in the ball deflecting off of Lewis' foot into the air. You better believe Forbes wasn't going to let the opportunity pass him by.
"I broke on [Lewis] and I saw the ball thrown," Forbes said. "It hit his foot. I saw the ball go in the air and I got it and was like, 'I've got to score.'"
Forbes hauled in the ball at the MSU 18-yard line. Forbes' biggest obstacle in the 82 yards between himself and the end zone was the outstretched hand of Lewis. The receiver appeared to graze the ankle of Forbes right after the catch, tripping Forbes up and nearly right into another Buccaneer that could've possibly made a tackle. But…
"I did a spin move, saw some grass and just ran as fast as I could," Forbes said.
It didn't hurt Forbes' cause to get a little aid from his friends. Nathaniel Watson had one key block that ensured no Buccaneer was going to get to Forbes.
"They all knew it was a big thing for me to get it and go score and they did everything they could to help me," Forbes said of his teammates.
From Watson's block on, Forbes could coast.
"I was just hoping, 'Please, let there be no flags and let me get to the end zone," Forbes said.
There were no penalties. There was only a celebration. Even head coach Mike Leach, who's seen so much over his legendary career, was incredibly proud to witness such a special moment.
"It was good," Leach said. "[Forbes] is very impressive. As a matter of fact, we gave him the game ball. He's an explosive, inspiring guy and he needs to keep up the good work."
That game ball Leach awarded? Forbes made immediate plans for it. He'd be handing it off to his family to share with them.
It'd be an ironic ending to a historic day. The man who's found so much success taking away footballs relished his monumental moment by giving one away.
𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐤-𝟔 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 👑#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/N167DYUtBw
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) November 19, 2022
